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The dwarves of Ironforge are an ancient race of robust humanoids who live beneath the snow-capped mountains of Khaz Modan. The dwarves have always been fast allies to the humans and they revel in the prospects of battle and storytelling alike. They are currently the least played Alliance race according to the WoW Census of February 2010.

Background

The stoic dwarves of Ironforge spent countless generations mining treasures from deep within the earth. Secure in their impregnable stronghold of Ironforge Mountain, the dwarves rarely ventured beyond the wintry peaks of Dun Morogh. Even so, when the orcs invaded Azeroth and set out to conquer the human, elven, and dwarven lands, the dwarves offered to join the Grand Alliance. The resilient and ingenious dwarves proved to be the backbone of the Alliance forces and helped usher in victory after victory.

Recently the dwarves unearthed a series of ruins that held the key to the secrets of their lost heritage. Driven to discover the truth about his people’s fabled origins, King Magni Bronzebeard ordered that the dwarves shift their industry from mining and engineering to that of archaeology. Magni helped to create the famed Explorers' Guild of Ironforge, a group utterly devoted to plumbing the secrets of the ancient world and delving out the truth of the dwarves’ fabled existence. An integral part of the Grand Alliance, the rugged dwarven armies have been called away to battle the merciless Horde in faraway lands. In these perilous times, the defense of the mountain kingdom falls to brave dwarves like you. The spirits of the dwarven kings watch over you, and the very mountains are your strength. The future of your people is in your hands.WoWMan 170

Archaeology and exploration

Due to recent discoveries that uncovered fragments of their ancient origins (for example, the Discs of Norgannon in Uldaman), the dwarves have undergone a remarkable transformation. The discovery convinced the dwarves that the mighty titans created them from stone when the world was young. They feel that their destiny is now to search the world for more signs and proof of their enchanted heritage and to rediscover the Titans' hidden legacies.

To this end, the dwarves have sent out archaeological teams to all ends of the world in the hopes of discovering new insights into their shrouded past. These journeys have led to dwarven excavation sites all over the known world, some of which serve as outposts and some of which serve as potential hunting grounds for the enemies of the dwarven race.

The dwarves were stout allies of the humans during the Second War, joining the Alliance of Lordaeron after their homeland of Khaz Modan was invaded. Holed deep in their mountainside city-fortress of Ironforge, the dwarves have managed to weather both the Horde invasion and the plague. Still, they are long-lived, slow and careful folk, and children are a rare blessing to them. The dwarves of Ironforge number a mere 60,000.

Still, their tendency to explore is impressive. If about two thirds of the surviving humans now live in the capital city of Stormwind, less than a third of the dwarves are in Ironforge. In fact, there are more dwarves in the dwarven section of Stormwind than Ironforge itself. For quite some time, Ironforge was home to the gnomish population as well after their homeland of Gnomeregan was invaded until their daring, yet successful, attempt to reclaim it.

Reasons for racial traits

Dwarves can tap into their Earthen heritage to undergo a temporary partial sclerosis, known to the layman as Stoneform. Not only does this make the dwarf more resistant to injury, it also seals open wounds and eliminates most poisons and infections. The lives of many dwarves have been saved by stoneform.

Soldiers of Ironforge are often recruited from the ranks of industrial laborers. For this reason, Mace and Gun Specialization are common, since having worked in major dwarven industries like metalworking, excavation and hunting, they are already skilled with handling a hammer or powder.

Dwarves are naturally adapted to cold climates, as evidenced by their stocky build and thick hair. Experienced wizards have observed that dwarves have a slight innate Frost Resistance.

Since the founding of the Explorers' League, interest in adventure has been strong in Ironforge. In order to discover more of the world's history, many dwarves leave their homes, ready to explore Azeroth for artifacts of value.

Reasons for Classes

Warrior-Dwarven Warriors are a force to be reckoned with. They are incredibly sturdy, both physically and mentally, and many dwarves have worked on evacuation or construction sites at least once in their lives. The long days of digging and wielding heavy tools have resulted in this extraordinary resilience.

Rogue-While not as small in stature as their Gnomish cousins, Dwarves have always been excellent scouts and thieves due to their size. Also, their hardiness comes in handy when a scouting mission takes place in harsh enviroments.

Hunter-Dwarves have always had a knack for the rifle, espeically the Bronzebeards. Knowledge of survival has always been crucial in the rigid plains and mountains of Khaz modan for any clan. Additionally, the Wildhammer Dwarves prefer more traditional cultures, using the bow to hunt game for their communities.

Mage-Until recently, only the Dark Irons practiced most schools of magic, with the exception of the Holy Light, upon which the Bronzebeards also practice. However, when Moira Thaurissan was "invited" to help rule over the Dwarves as a whole, she introduced her clan to Ironforge, who then introduced the magical arts and spread it to the Bronzebeard.

Warlock-When the majority of the Dark Iron Dwarves aligned themselves with Ironforge, they spread the secrets of differant schools of magic aside from the Holy Light or shamanism, things the Bronzebeard and Wildhammer clans were unsure of(espeically the dark secrets of the Dark iron heritage). Though frowned upon by their clans, some Bronzebeards and Wildhammers have forsaken their more limited magic and embraced the powerful, chaotic forces of Shadow.

Priest-The Bronzebeard clan has long practiced the arts of the Holy light, taught to them years ago by their Human allies. However, when the three Dwarven clans united under the banner of Ironforge, and the trio of differant cultures mixed skills and vocations, some Wildhammers, though unwilling at first, set down their nomadic and shamanistic ways and began to worship the Holy Light. The Dark Irons had been practicing their own version of a priest, simply known as clerics or medics among their clan.

Paladin-Only the Bronzebeards officially walk the path of a Paladin. Years ago, when the Dwarves befriended the Humans, the Humans taught them the ways of the Holy Light and introduced them to the orders of knights. A notable one is the Knights of the Silver Hand, where many Humans and Dwarves work together to bring justice to the scourged lands of the Undead.

Shaman-Originally, only the Wildhammer clan practiced Shamanism. They lived alongide and worshipped the spirits of the Sky and mountains, relatively uninfluenced for decades. yet, upon joining the trio of the Dwarven clans under the banner of Ironforge, many Wildhammers attempted to spread their ways to the other clans. Today, the majority of Dwarven Shaman are Wildhammers unsuprisingly, though Bronzebeards and Dark Irons can be found among them as well.

Death Knight-Like so many other races of the Alliance Horde, noble Dwarves of all the clans have fallen before the might of the scourge, particully in Northrend, only to be twisted and raised into undeath as a Death Knight under the control of the Lich King. Many, though, escaped his mental grasp with the rest of Ebon Blade.

Jokes

This is a list of voice emote jokes for dwarves of both genders. Because of the way player characters work, these lines are accessed via the /silly slash command.

"Hi hooo, hi hooo... ehh, uhh, second verse, same as the first." (Reference to two movies, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," and "Ghost" With Patrick Swayze and Herman's Hermit's "Henery The Eighth I Am")

"I don't have a drinkin' problem! I drink, I get drunk, I fall down. No problem!" (A reference of Too Hot by Swollen Members)

"I don't drink anymore... course, I don't drink any less either!"

"I like my beer like I like my women: Stout and bitter."

"Oh, I'm just a social drinker. Every time someone says, 'I'll have a drink', I say, 'So shall I'!"

Roleplaying a dwarf

Dwarves have what can be considered traditional Scottish and Irish accents. The speech isn't the only thing you need to know about the dwarfs. They share a common faith in The Light along with a strong belief and curiosity about the Titans, so remember that. Also, they are a proud people; the beard of a dwarven man is a matter of great pride.

Trivia

The Male Dwarf dance is based on the traditional Russian dance style known as prisyadki.[1] The Female Dwarf dance is based in Irish traditional folk dancing.